This traveling exhibit, developed and produced by the National Library of Medicine of the National Institutes of Health, illustrates an iconic history of AIDS alongside lesser-known examples of historical figures who changed the course of the pandemic. Utilizing a variety of historic photographs, pamphlets and publications, the exhibit is divided into five historical investigations, each of which highlights how different groups responded to AIDS. Early responders cared for the sick, fought homophobia and promoted new practices to keep people healthy. Scientists and public-health officials struggled to understand the disease and how it spread. Politicians remained largely silent until the epidemic became too big to ignore. Activists demanded that people with AIDS be part of the solution.

Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences, Special Collections and Archives Reading Room